Workcation Accommodation Guide | How to Choose Accommodations that Balance Work and Leisure

Workcation | A New Way of Working and Traveling

A portmanteau of "Work" and "Vacation," "workcation" is a way of working that combines work and leisure by utilizing remote work in locations such as resort areas or tourist destinations, which differ from a typical office environment. Following the widespread adoption of remote work from 2020 onwards, workcations have rapidly spread throughout Japan, and according to a survey by the Japan National Tourism Organization, approximately 8 million people are estimated to have engaged in workcations in 2023.

Workcations fall into two main categories. "Leisure-focused workcations" involve incorporating work days before and after paid vacation time and working remotely at a travel destination. The other type, "business-focused workcations," primarily aim to conduct work during company retreats or at satellite offices while enjoying tourism during free time. More companies are implementing workcation programs, and according to a JTB survey, approximately 70% of companies with such programs reported experiencing improved employee productivity.

Popular workcation destinations include Karuizawa and Hakuba in Nagano Prefecture, Onna Village and Chatan in Okinawa Prefecture, Niseko in Hokkaido, Shirahama in Wakayama Prefecture, and Nichinan in Miyazaki Prefecture. These regions actively attract workcations, with some establishing dedicated facilities and subsidy programs for accommodation fees. In Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, satellite office recruitment centered on IT companies has been successful, and the town has gained attention nationwide as a leader in workcation development.

The Most Critical Accommodation Selection Point | Prioritize Communication Infrastructure

Internet connectivity is the factor that most significantly influences the success or failure of a workcation. No matter how beautiful the scenery or appealing the hot springs, work becomes impossible if video cuts out and audio drops during online meetings. When choosing accommodations, prioritize confirming the communication environment.

As a guideline for necessary communication speeds, video conferences like Zoom require 3 Mbps or higher in both upload and download speeds (5 Mbps or higher for group calls), and general cloud-based work requires 10 Mbps or higher. Before booking, directly contact the accommodation to verify connection speeds, or check reviews for Wi-Fi stability. Even if an accommodation advertises "Wi-Fi equipped," it's not uncommon for speeds to decrease during peak usage times on shared networks.

For peace of mind, prepare a mobile Wi-Fi router or smartphone tethering as a backup. By subscribing to secondary connections such as Rakuten Mobile or povo 2.0, you'll have a backup option if your primary connection experiences problems. Especially in mountainous areas or resort regions, signal quality varies significantly depending on the mobile carrier, so it's recommended to check coverage maps beforehand.

Accommodations with wired LAN are even more reassuring. Wi-Fi can sometimes interfere with other electronic devices like microwaves, but wired connections eliminate this concern. Bringing one LAN cable (Category 6 or higher recommended) can be helpful in a pinch.

Workspace Conditions | Secure an Environment for Concentration

The next most important factor after communication infrastructure is a comfortable workspace for work. Let me explain the specific points to check.

First, desks and chairs. The most common complaints about workcations are "the desk is too low" and "the chair is uncomfortable." Working for extended periods at a low tatami table in a traditional inn puts strain on your lower back and neck. When booking, confirm the desk height (ideally around 70cm) and whether a work chair is available. Recently, more accommodations that cater to workcations are introducing ergonomic office chairs. Bringing a laptop stand allows you to adjust screen height and can improve your posture.

Don't forget to secure power outlets. You'll need to charge multiple devices simultaneously—a laptop, smartphone, mobile battery, and sometimes an external monitor. Simply bringing one power strip can solve outlet shortage problems.

For online meetings, a quiet private room is essential. Working in a shared lounge makes it easy for casual conversations and ambient noise to be picked up, making it unsuitable for meetings dealing with confidential information. Choose an accommodation with a separate private workspace, or one where your guest room has a suitable background and lighting for video conferences. More accommodations are offering external monitor rental services.

Long-Term Stay Plans and Cost Management Tips

A one- or two-night workcation simply isn't enough. Since it takes time to travel and adjust to a new environment, a minimum of three nights or longer is recommended, with one to two weeks being ideal. Staying for an extended period stabilizes your work rhythm and gives you time to experience the daily life of the destination.

There are several options for reducing long-term stay costs. First, consider "monthly hotels." More hotels are offering long-term stay plans for workcations, such as Hoshi no Resorts' "BEB" brand, "HOTEL SHE," and "THE SHARE HOTELS." These often feature significant discounts on a weekly or monthly basis, with per-night rates sometimes dropping to around 5,000-8,000 yen.

Vacation rentals and peer-to-peer accommodation platforms are also viable options. Many properties on Airbnb offer "long-term discounts," with stays of four weeks or longer sometimes qualifying for 30-50% discounts. Choosing a property with a kitchen allows you to cook your own meals, further reducing food costs. Buying local ingredients at supermarkets and cooking is also one of the pleasures of a workcation.

Make active use of municipal workcation support programs as well. These programs vary by municipality and may include accommodation subsidies, free access to coworking spaces, or travel expense assistance. Some municipalities offer daily accommodation subsidies of 2,000-5,000 yen. You can check the latest information on the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' "Furusato Working Holiday" program or municipal immigration and exchange websites.

How to Spend Your Workcation to Boost Work Productivity

The beauty of a workcation lies in clearly separating work and leisure time. However, in practice, some people report "getting too caught up in work" or conversely "relaxing too much for work to progress." Here are some tips for balancing productivity and fulfillment.

The most important thing is to decide your daily schedule in advance. A recommended pattern is to dedicate the morning (9am-12pm) to focused work, schedule online meetings after lunch, and reserve time from 3pm onward for activities.

Switching between work and leisure is effectively achieved through "changing locations." After working in your hotel room, move to a café for a break. After concentrating in a coworking space, take a walk on a nearby beach. Physically changing your location helps your brain shift modes.

When selecting activities during your workcation, choosing those that allow you to experience the local nature and culture will increase your satisfaction. Early-morning yoga, sunset SUP, local cooking classes, hot spring tours, and other experiences unavailable in your everyday life can boost your work motivation.

Finally, when planning a workcation, don't forget to share details with your team in advance. By clearly establishing available contact hours and determining emergency response procedures, you can enjoy both work and leisure with peace of mind. Information about accommodations suitable for workcations is also featured on SOROU.JP by region, so please use it for planning your next trip.